BJP Leader, 2 Others Burnt Alive After Car Sandwiched Between Trucks, Torched Over Mining Dispute

Last Updated:June 18, 2026, 13:27 IST

Differences over payments and control of sand extracted from the quarries allegedly intensified over time, turning the rivalry into a fight for dominance and influence.

Three people, including BJP leader and former Janpad Panchayat President Bharat Singh alias Lalla Singh, were killed in a gruesome incident in Chhattisgarh’s Koriya district after a long-running dispute over sand mining allegedly spiralled into deadly violence.

The attack took place late on Tuesday night in Naugain village under the Sonhat police station area. According to the family of the deceased, Bharat Singh had gone to hold talks aimed at resolving a dispute related to sand quarry operations. They alleged that instead of a settlement, he was ambushed.

Police have arrested four accused identified as Akshat Tripathi, Vishal Tripathi, Satyaprakash Tripathi and Mannu Tripathi, while efforts are underway to trace others. Nine people have been named in the case, which includes charges of murder and attempted murder, NDTV reported.

The incident has left the district tense, prompting the deployment of a heavy police force.

Initial reports suggest that the sand quarry contract in the region had been awarded to Bharat Singh’s family. Residents alleged that disputes over the transportation of sand and “illegal" collections linked to mining operations in Sonhat, Kailashpur, Telimuda, Beliya and Chhingura had created friction between Bharat Singh’s group and the family of BJP leader Manoj Tripathi for several months.

According to locals, the Tripathi family owned tipper trucks used to transport sand to Baikunthpur. Differences over payments and control of sand extracted from the quarries allegedly intensified over time, turning the rivalry into a fight for dominance and influence.

The conflict reached a violent climax on Tuesday night.

Investigators said the Fortuner SUV carrying Bharat Singh and his associates was allegedly blocked by trucks from both sides, leaving no route for escape. The vehicle was then allegedly doused with petrol and set ablaze. Bharat Singh died inside the burning SUV.

Virendra Singh, who suffered injuries in the attack, later succumbed during treatment. The third victim, Nagendra Singh, a teacher and cousin of Bharat Singh, also lost his life.

Mayank Singh, who was injured in the incident, is undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Bilaspur and remains in critical condition with severe head and facial injuries.

Bharat Singh had earlier been associated with the Congress before joining the BJP during the Bhupesh Baghel government’s tenure. Known as an influential figure in the area, he frequently travelled in a Fortuner SUV equipped with a hooter.

His family has sought a CBI probe and demanded strict action against the accused, alleging that the attack was meticulously planned and not a spontaneous act.

Police officials, however, maintained that the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Additional Superintendent of Police Suresha Chaubey said preliminary findings indicate that the incident stemmed from an old dispute over sand mining involving the Tripathi and Thakur factions. She said members of the Thakur family reached the spot between 9.30 pm and 10 pm, after which an altercation and assault broke out.

During the clash, the Fortuner caught fire. Four accused have been arrested, while the remaining suspects are absconding and have switched off their mobile phones, she said.

Sonhat SHO Vinod Paswan also confirmed that both groups had been embroiled in a prolonged mining-related dispute. He said one side was linked to Lalla Singh, who ran a crusher unit, while the other involved the Tripathi family. Earlier cases had also been registered in connection with the rivalry.

According to Paswan, illegal sand mining had been halted for some time due to Lalla Singh’s intervention, but had resumed recently. He added that Mayank Singh had allegedly assaulted members of the Tripathi family in the days preceding the incident, leading to the registration of a case.

The killings triggered political reactions across the state.

Local MLA Bhaiyalal Rajwade expressed grief over the incident and described it as unprecedented in the history of Koriya district. He said disputes between the two groups had surfaced earlier, but the reasons behind such a horrifying escalation would become clear only after a detailed investigation.

Former MLA Gulab Kamro condemned the incident and demanded the strictest action against those responsible.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said he had been informed about the Koriya incident and added that arrests had already been made. He said the investigation was underway and assured that no one found guilty would be spared.

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